Mario Andretti remembers Dan Wheldon as a popular driver on IndyCar circuit

View full sizeAP File Photo | DOUG MCSCHOOLERA young Dan Wheldon, left, poses with Andretti Green Racing team owner Michael Andretti during a victory lap after winning the 89th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2005.

Dan Wheldon is no stranger to area racing fans, having won the final race at Nazareth Speedway in 2004. He led the Andretti Green Racing Team to a 1-2-3 finish in the Indy Racing League Firestone Indy 225.

Wheldon was racing with a different team in 2003 when Andretti hired him to fill in for Dario Franchitti, who had been injured in a crash.

His first Indianapolis 500 win came in 2005 while still with Andretti Green racing. He won nine races under the Andretti flag before leaving for the Chip Ganassi team.

"The first thing I thought it was one of our guys," said Mario Andretti because Michael Andretti's racing team entered four drivers in the race, including his son, Marco.

Wheldon was well-liked in racing circles, Mario said.

"Dan Wheldon was very outgoing young man, very pleasant ... honestly, everybody's friend," he said.

"Any sport has a danger to it ... sooner or later, unfortunately, some things are going to happen. And as safe as it is today, it's never going to be 100 percent safe."

While not official, Wheldon was close to signing with Andretti Autosports for the 2012 season to replace Danica Patrick, who is departing to pursue NASCAR fulltime.

"I want to be a fulltime driver again and I've got a strong offer," Wheldon told SPEED.com on Thursday.

Michael Andretti had indicated the signing of Wheldon to replace Patrick in the GoDaddy.com car was a top priority back in August. Following Thursday's practice session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Andretti told SPEED.com "It's not done yet but we're getting close."